The first official weekend of the college football season is finally upon us. Labor Day weekend football is one of the best weekends of the year.
The headliner this week is in the SEC, with No. 13 LSU hosting Clemson in Lane Kiffin's debut game. While the Big 12 might not have a true marquee matchup during Week 1, there are several worthwhile games to keep an eye on. Colorado opens the season on the road against Georgia Tech, a solid opening-week test for both programs.
Here is a look at this week's staff picks for each Big 12 game on the Week 1 slate, which features 15 of the conference's 16 teams. Games not scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 5, are listed as such, and all times are Mountain unless noted.
UCF vs. Bethune-Cookman
Thursday, Sept. 3, 5 p.m., ESPN+
James: UCF
Ariana: UCF
This is not too difficult to call. UCF finished last season with a 5-7 record but should have no problem handling a mediocre SWAC team. The Knights have not lost to an FCS school since 2015, when they lost to every team they played. Bethune-Cookman does not seem like the school that will change that trend.
Charlie: UCF
I do not expect a close game whatsoever. Scott Frost should work on some things during this one.
Colorado at Georgia Tech
Thursday, Sept. 3, 6 p.m., ESPN
We have shared Colorado-Georgia Tech predictions in a separate post, with each staff member providing a final score prediction and some thoughts on the game.
Utah vs. Idaho
Thursday, Sept. 3, 7 p.m., ESPNU
James: Utah
Ariana: Utah
Utah comes into their season opener ranked No. 21 in the country while Idaho is coming off a 4-8 season in the FCS. A ranked team has lost only six times to an FCS school, the last time in 2016. The Utes have too strong a roster, with quarterback Devon Dampier, running back Wayshawn Parker, and defensive lineman Karson Kaufusi, to lose their opener to an FCS team.
Charlie: Utah
Idaho has already played and lost, and I do not expect the Vandals to win, but I do think they have enough spunk to keep it watchable for a bit.
Kansas vs. Long Island
Friday, Sept. 4, 6 p.m., ESPNU
James: Kansas
Ariana: Kansas
Kansas may not be projected to be a threat in the Big 12 this season, but they are not bad enough to lose to Long Island. This is not meant to be disrespectful to Long Island, but as an FCS school that finished last season with a subpar record, Long Island has no business competing with the Jayhawks, and Kansas has not lost to an FCS team since 2018.
Charlie: Kansas
Houston vs. Oregon State
10 a.m., ESPN/Disney+
James: Houston
The No. 23-ranked Cougars host a rebuilding Oregon State team that is introducing debut head coach JaMarcus Shephard and massive roster turnover. Houston's explosive veteran core led by Conner Weismann should handle this comfortably at home.
Ariana: Houston
This is a rebuilding year for Oregon State. Coming off a 2-10 record last season, they have a lot of work to do before they can compete with a program like Houston, which has a chance to make the Big 12 Championship Game and maybe reach the playoffs. The Cougars will easily win this game.
Charlie: Houston
Houston should be one of the better teams in the Big 12, and Oregon State is no slouch, but I still back the Cougars.
West Virginia vs. Coastal Carolina
10 a.m., TNT
James: West Virginia
Ariana: West Virginia
In West Virginia's over 100-year history, they have played Coastal Carolina only once, and they won. Against teams that are currently in the Sun Belt Conference, the Mountaineers have an all-time record of 13-0. West Virginia is coming off a 4-8 record, while Coastal Carolina finished 6-7 after losing its final four games, including its bowl game against Louisiana Tech. This game will not be the first time in West Virginia history that they fall to a Sun Belt team.
Charlie: West Virginia
Iowa State vs. SE Missouri
11 a.m., ESPN+
James: Iowa State
Ariana: Iowa State
Southeast Missouri State actually had their first game of the season, a 23-21 win against Indiana State. So, they have a little momentum going into this game. Maybe that will allow them to be competitive in the first quarter or so, but Iowa State will quickly overwhelm them. The Cyclones are coming off a good season last year, though they now have a new head coach and lost many players to the transfer portal. They can still handle the Redhawks.
Charlie: Iowa State
I don't expect Iowa State to be a good team in 2026, but they should not have a problem in Week 1.
Baylor at Auburn (Atlanta)
1:30 p.m., ABC/Disney+
James: Baylor
This neutral-site showdown at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta will feature a heavy pro-Auburn crowd. Baylor will look to bounce back from last year’s 5-7 campaign, and I believe a big comeback from DJ Lagway will be one of the top stories of the weekend.
Ariana: Baylor
This is expected to be the closest game among the Big 12 openers, aside from Colorado's game. Auburn enters this game as the favorite despite finishing last season 5-7. However, the Bears landed quarterback DJ Lagway from the transfer portal. Lagway spent the past two seasons with Florida and struggled last season with 14 interceptions. If he can become a more consistent player and utilize his rare arm talent, Lagway could really take Baylor places. Lagway and the Bears put the college football world on notice with a surprise win over Auburn.
Charlie: Auburn
I respect my colleagues' confidence in Baylor, but I am going with Alex Golesh's Tigers in this one. Yes, it is a neutral-site game, but in Atlanta I expect the majority of fans to be Auburn supporters.
Cincinnati vs. Boston College
1:30 p.m., Fox
James: Cincinnati
Home-field advantage will carry the Bearcats over the Eagles in this tightly matched ACC-Big 12 game.
Ariana: Cincinnati
Cincinnati was streaky last year. They lost their season opener, won seven straight, and then lost their final five games. Meanwhile, Boston College was consistently bad, winning only two games all season. The Eagles are not expected to be any better this season, while the Bearcats are projected to finish with a record similar to last year. This is a game Cincinnati has no reason to lose.
Charlie: Cincinnati
I was leaning toward picking BC, but the Bearcats being the home team gives them the edge. I expect the game to be tight throughout.
Oklahoma State at Tulsa
1:45 p.m., ESPNU
James: Oklahoma State
Ariana: Oklahoma State
Despite only winning one game last season, there is a lot of hope around Oklahoma State. The Cowboys got Drew Mestemaker from North Texas in the transfer portal. Mestemaker led the FBS in passing yards (4,379), yards per attempt (9.5) and yards per game (312.8). He had two games with over 450 passing yards, including against Charlotte when he put up 608 passing yards and four passing touchdowns. Tulsa is a good test for Mestemaker and the revamped Oklahoma State team, and one that they will pass.
Charlie: Oklahoma State
I can see Tulsa pulling off an upset, but I don't think they have an answer for Cowboys' quarterback Drew Mestemaker.
Texas Tech vs. Abilene Christian
5 p.m, FS1
James: Texas Tech
Ariana: Texas Tech
Texas Tech has not lost to Abilene Christian since 1929. Further, the Red Raiders have never lost to an FCS team while ranked; their only loss to an FCS school came in 1988 against North Texas, when they were unranked. This Texas Tech team has the potential to win the Big 12 Championship and reach the playoffs, and it is not going to be knocked off by Abilene Christian.
Charlie: Texas Tech
Kansas State vs. Nicholls
5 p.m., ESPN+
James: Kansas State
Ariana: Kansas State
Like most of the teams in the Big 12, Kansas State is starting their season against an FCS team. Nicholls State lost to both FBS teams they played last year, while Kansas State has not lost to an FCS team since 2013, when they fell to North Dakota State. Also, Nicholls State had a poor record last year with only four wins, and while the Wildcats are coming off a 6-6 season in 2025, they can still easily beat Nicholls State.
Charlie: Kansas State
It will be fascinating to see how Avery Johnson looks reunited with Collin Klein.
BYU vs. Utah Tech
6 p.m., ESPN+
James: BYU
Ariana: BYU
BYU played Utah Tech for the first time in 2022, winning the game 52-26. That was only a few years after Utah Tech transitioned from Division II to FCS. As an FCS school, they have yet to record a win against any FBS school. Playing the No. 14 school in the country, BYU, is not going to change that. BYU will win in a landslide.
Charlie: BYU
Arizona vs. Northern Arizona
7:30 p.m., ESPN+
James: Arizona
Ariana: Arizona
Northern Arizona got their first win of the season against Eastern Washington last season. However, they are still looking for their first win against Arizona since 2021, when the Lumberjacks pulled off a 21-19 surprise victory over the Wildcats; that was a dismal season for Arizona, as they finished with only one win. That is not going to be the case with the Wildcats this season since they are coming off a season with nine wins. Arizona wins this game.
Charlie: Arizona
I am excited to see how dominant Arizona looks so I can make an early judgment on how good they can be.
Arizona State vs. Morgan State
8 p.m., ESPN+
James: Arizona State
Ariana: Arizona State
Arizona State should also be competitive this season after finishing with 8 wins last year. The Sun Devils come into this season with a lot of hope, while Morgan State is coming off a year in which they had only one conference win and four overall. Like a number of the Big 12 games in the first week, it is not going to be a close game.
Charlie: Arizona State
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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Big 12 football predictions, expert picks for Week 1
